Shaftesbury and Gillingham residents are bracing themselves for a massive influx of traffic when the dreaded A303 diversion comes into force on Monday, February 15.

Major roadworks are closing a stretch of the trunk road for five weeks – and westbound traffic will be diverted around the two north Dorset towns.

The plans, which will bring thousands of extra vehicles through the streets every day, have caused widespread consternation.

Pleas from North Dorset District Council and Gillingham Town Council to take the opportunity to upgrade the road to a dual carriageway fell on deaf ears, but public outcry did force a backdown on the original plans for a 14-week shutdown.

Overnight closures near Shaftesbury and Gillingham started back in November 16. The road will now be closed round-the-clock from Monday.

Gillingham councillor Ian Stewart said they were anticipating gridlock. “Although the eastbound diversion is via Warminster, would you take a 16-mile detour instead of six? I think we’re going to get east and westbound traffic,” he said. “To be honest I don’t think we’ll be using the car.”

Richard Thomas of Shaftesbury Chamber of Commerce said people didn’t know what to expect, but said: “The potential is quite horrendous.”

He added: “There are umpteen little back roads you can take. I imagine, in this day of the satnav, people are going to look for short cuts. Some little back roads through East Knoyle could become a nightmare.”

Highways Agency project manager Dave Frampton said the work was essential as the road is beginning to suffer from “severe cracking and rutting” and the drainage system needed “extensive repairs or replacement”.

He added: “We have carefully planned this work to reduce the length of time that the route has to be closed and to minimise the impact on road users.”

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